Public Observation

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

All the area outside of the trees was whumphing, cracking, and collapsing. I concur with the other observations posted for Dec. 17. I experienced similar things, zipper crust, shooting cracks, and whumpfing.

I dug a small pit with my hands just to see and feel the layers, at about 6-8 inches down, I didn't measure, there is some old sugary snow that is causing the collapsing of the new heavier snow that fell on top of it from this storm.

I hiked on mellow terrain so I didn't see or experience any avalanches, but the cracking would happen right below me as I hiked and then like dominos would travel uphill for a good 30 ft more. I experienced the cracking and whumpfing the entire time when I was out of the trees on all elevations, that is why I classified it as widespread.

There was a zipper crust on all aspects, even the peak up at about 7,200 ft in elevation had a zipper crust.